Speed and power geared hand wrench



June 6, 1950 s. SCHNEPEL 1-:r AL

SPEED AND POWER GEARED HAND WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27. 194a G 70 3m nhW m ne 7. 8 W M v mm Patented June 6, 1950 V 4 2,510,483 r USPEED AND POWER GEARED HAND WRENCH Lawrence S.

Schnepel and Everett 0. Spear, Cochituate, Mass.

Application May 27, 1948, Serial No. 29,448

4 Claims. (01. 74-801) The present invention relates to hand tools of thewrench class, andmore particularly geared manual wrenches. It aims to provide a universal tool ofthe stated class, of compact, rugged and otherwise improved construction and arrangement and which bymere reversal of posi tion serves the dual purposes of speed and of power applications, that is, this wrench type of hand tool is adapted to deliver the manual rotative effort selectively at," increased speed or at increased power. V

I In the drawings illustrating byway of example certain embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an'elevation of one form of the tool; Figs. 2 and 3, upon a larger scale, are respectively" axial and transverse sections through the head or main assembly of the tool of Fig. 1;

. Fig. 4is a perspective view of the central drive assembly; and l Fig. 5 shows an embodiment with removable and interchangeable handle means.

The gearediwrenchofthe invention affords the, advantages of gearing between the input and the take-ofi elements yet in a practical and convenient hand-tool form. It is adapted for embodiment in sizesand designs making it universally useful, especially "in restricted areas such as frequently encountered for example in the automotive and air-craft industries and wherever parts to be operatedon ma be difficult for access. l 7

Our novel hand tool or tool accessory comprises three main externally accessible elements. These comprise a pair of j opposed and axially aligned relatively rotatable shaft elements either of which is selectively available in three-fold manner, asthe driver, the driven or the holding part. The third element is a concentric outer annular member disposed between the opposite ends of the pair mentioned and provided with handle means for alternatively holding it stationary or turning it. Under operation withthe aligned shaft elements employed as the driving and driven parts the outer element is held stationary. The off-take result is either increased speed or increased power depending merely on one'or the reverse positioning of the tool relative to the work. At other times either one of the aligned shaft pair may be made the stationary member, by holding it fast in any convenient manner, whereupon the rotative efiort may be taken off at theropposite non-held shaft member of the pair, by turning the outer circumferential element. Again. in this latter manner of use, depending merely on which of the aligned pair is selected for holding and which for take-off, the resulting effort obtained, in this instance through manual rotation of the central outer member, will be eithera power application or an increased speed application {that is, selection of oneor the other shaft for use as input and output or take oil elements respectively determines whether the output is at increased power or at increased speed; in other words, the rotative effort available at one end of the tool will be at higher speed and at less power than available by merely reversing the tool end for end andusing the other end, opposite to the first mentioned end, as the output element. Thus thesimplified and compact'tool of the invention isuniversally avail-- able either for power or for speed requirements and in dilferent combinations as to driver, driven and holder parts as may be most convenient for the particular job and space conditions encountered.

Referring to the drawings in more detail and noting particularly Figs. 2 and 4, the tool comprises a stub, shaft 6 and a second generally similar and axially aligned stub shaft 1. The outer ends of these shafts are formed with any preferred tool-engaging formation either male or female and illustrated by way of example as non-round heads 8 and 9, shown as squared. As noted these may be either in the nature of studs or of sockets and may be of the opposite type at the respective ends. The stud form illustrated is generally preferred; as more universally suitable, being conformable to various commercial socket-wrench sets, and being readily convertible to the opposite type of attachment by a socket adapter.

One of theshafts 6, that at the top in Fig. 2, constitutes a connective mount for the inter-' mediate planetary gearing illustrated. Accordingly it is formed, preferably integrally, with a radial disc or retainer plate Ill. This plate is drilled at a pluralityof equally circumferentially spaced locations to receive in fixed relation a like plurality of pins. In the example shown four such pins ll, l2, l3, M are symmetrically distributed about the axis of the shaft '6. The opposite ends of these pins Il--Ill are fixed in a like number of similarly arranged seats in a second retainer and spacer plate 15 of like size as the first plate l0. v

Journalled on and by the respectivepins ll to M is the cluster of intermediary pinions I6, l1, [8, I9. The'gear-bearing pins Il-M are herein fixed in the opposed retainer plates Ill, l5 in any suitable manner as by counter-sinking and heading over. The retainer plate H5, in the lower position in Figs. 2 ands, is centrally recessed for, free passage of the adjacent stub shaft 1. The inner portion of said shaft 1 has integrally or other'wise fixed. on it a concentric central gear, 20 meshing with the series or cluster of 'pinions l6l9. This central orsun gear 20 and its shaft 1 are proportioned and arranged for reception of the gear 20 between: the opposed inner faces of the retainer plates ll! and I5 in end-thrust bearing relation thereto. For further piloting and axial rectification one of the shafts, herein the upper shaft 6, has an axial end recess 8' while the opposite and relatively rotatable shaft, herein the part '1, has bearing 7 reception i said recess by means of an axially projecting guide stud 1.

Noting particularly Fig. 4, it will be evident longitudinally central outer casing and-body elemerit 30 which also constitutes the carrier for an internal ring gear 32. This outer annular element 30, 32 preferably is formed integrally 'sihglepiece avin the, gear teeth 32 at its inner Cir umferential face. The teeth of this iiiter'nal; gear 32 are adapted to mesh with the h dlletai'y cluster of pinions I6 to H3 at the 90 s aged. locations herein illustrated. The internal gear teeth 32, are of a length or height approxifmatifng that. or the other gears, so as to be recef ed with close tolerance between the adjacent ns of the opposed inner faces of the re [plates l0, l5. the internal gear teeth lfi i i addit o l i ing and spacing mean for plates peripherally of the latter. It. Will be no't'ed'that the retainer plates [0, have a diam,- eter slightly greater than the. root diameter of the annular internal gear or rack 32 and that theedge facesof the plates seat in bearing relatio te-shoulders. 33, '34 on the gear-carrier 3t. Aecording ly. the entire assembly including the outer element 313*3'2. is mechanically hfeld together independently of any further outside. case or bearing eans. and is capable of functionin lath abs nce. of any r r part.

Eor' ddijtio'nal strength, dirt exclusion and like purposes, the tool desirably is finished with onposed circular end'pieces or housing covers 35, 3]

comprise centrally bored flanged or diedlike; bodies surrounding the respective axially .oppoeed shafts, 8. and l in bearing relation thereto. The peripheral portions of these end covers and bearers 36., 3]; are, received by annular seats; 3,8, 39, therefor at. the inner faces of the pposed outside rims of the gear-carrier'element 3i]. areithere heldas by swaging. 'Desirably theseendfenclosures 36, 3.1 are each formed with annular recess. on the inner wall as for example at 49. 44 adapted. to confine packing. or sealing-meansfor excluding dirt and retaining lubricant within the tool, such for example asa neop e e Washer or acking.

.Inthe modificationof Fig. 5, the annular body ,part 3M of thewrenchis formed with a receivformation as at 53, illustrated as a squared stud for detachable association with a handle or Mahaving a grip 51a. As shown this dempuntable bar may. be generally similar to the handle element or strong arm supplied with ordinary socket wrenchsets, including a, socket piece 5. i pivotally connected tothe hand bar 551a as at- 55. The reverse arrangementas to socket and stud. may be employed, either the male or the. female element being on the wrench body 313a and the other element on the handle, 50a.

From the. foregoing description in connection withfthe drawings it will be apparent that. our geared wrench orwrench accessory is; conveniently available as a universal tool for the application. of turning efiort for the dual. purpose of affordingeither an. increaseof "rotative speed or. an increase. of rotative powerjat the given speed. Further, either of thesedual-speedand power applications are available in different ways as best suited to the available space limitations at the particular job. Either of the protrading shafts 6- and 1 maybe usedas the output or driven member, the input power or turning effort being applied either to the opposite shaft E or 6 with the radial handle 50 held stationary or to the radial handle 50 with said other shaft 1 or 6 held. It will be understood that in any such; uses one of the shafts 6 or 1 is applied to the work while the other shaft 1 or 6 receives any suitable engaging tool or handle such for example as. that of an ordinary socket-wrench with or without ratcheting provision. Thus the handle such as 5i!v of Fig. 1 and 50a of Fig. 5 may be used as an anchor, the rotative input or work eirort being applied to the appropriate driye t or r for thepurpose; required, wit resuitant rotative output at the opposite member I or t in the same direction of turning. Alternatively one drive 6 or 1 may be heldby any convenient tool attachment -asabove mentioned while the radial handle 50 or fiflais turned to afford the desired rotative efiort either asia speed increase or as a power increase, depending merely on, which of the shafts is held and which is used for the output; in the instance of shaft 6 being held the direction of. rotation at the then output shaft 1' is reverse to that of the, input. at the handle, 50'. In all other cases the rotative direction of output is. the same as that of the input. In any instance a. shift from speed: to power application or'the reverse is instantly possible, by simply inverting the position of the wrench head, As indicated on Fig. ithe, respective ends or sides, of the wrench head'may be distinctively designated in any preferred manner uch as the notations Speed?*'andP wer". l'tis further noted that the geared hand tool of our invention, aiiord's. a. choice of three erent input to output ratios. In the particular embodiment illustrated. by way of example the gearing arrangement is. such that use of the twd shafts as input and. output elements while the head is held against turning affords a ratio of to,1 or 1 to 4 depending. on whichshaft is used for input and which for output. If the shaft. 1 to. which the central, gear is afiixed is held from turning and therotauve e iior't is a pl d to hev head as by means. of, the. handle 56, the. output at the other. shaft 6' is in the ratio "of- 4. to, .3. Again, if reversely 'theshait-b'. is held from turning rotation. of. the head as by the handle 5%]. provides arotaltive output at the other shaft I. in, this instance inreuerse directionnin the ratio of 3.10 1.

By reason, or. compactness. mechanical simplicit and. rugged structure, 01.0111: wrench. it is dapted for use in restricted areas where. flldir narii v only the conventional small non-geared .hand tool can have access. Our geared wr nch brings tosudh usesjthe. added important advan- .tage of appropriate .,power or speedier the. given so Accordingly the. speed and, power sear dlhan wrench of ourinvention particularly useful; in the. automotive and air-craft: industries atiJthe numerous workloc'ations. where the use 'df'power tools or. peedwrenohes has heret for e r l been. restricted. to mechanicalgparts which are exposed ina readil iaec'essible position.

Our invention isjnot' limited to the particular embodiments thereofillustrated and described herein, and" we set'forth itsscope inour followingclaims. U v

We claim: 1. As a new article of manufacture in the hand tool class, a geared head and handle unit particularly for use accessory to stud-and-socket-type hand wrench equipment for manually applying torque selectively at increased power or at increased speed, said unit comprising first and second symmetrical stub shafts relatively rotatable in axial line, the inner shaft ends having mutual bearing support and the outer ends terminating directly in integral socket-wrench-type engaging formations, the first shaft having at the inner end and fixed therewith a coaxial radial flange, the second shaft having freely disposed about an inner portion a radial plate of like diameter as said flange and axially spaced therefrom, a heavy-duty central gear between and in end-bearing relation to the flange and the plate and fixed on the second shaft, a cluster of similar heavy-duty pinions symmetrically spaced around and meshing with the central gear and also in end-bearing relation to and between the flange and the plate, a (bearing pin for each pinion spanning between and firmly held at the opposite ends in the flange and the plate respectively, and an internally toothed laterally open ring gear surrounding and meshing with the pinion cluster, the ring gear teeth disposed between the fiange and the plate in axial spacing and guide bearing relation thereto at the tooth end faces, and the ring gear having a collar-like outer wall symmetrically encompassing the peripheries of the flange and the plate in relatively rotative bearing and guiding relation thereto and provided externally with radial handle means for holding and for turning it alternatively.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a manual socket-wrench accessory tool constituting a geared handle and wrench element for modifying manual wrench-applied torque, said tool comprising an outer ring element constituting of itself a supporting head having an internal toothed gear medial oi the inner wall and having at the respective end faces of the gear teeth laterally open circumferential recesses of a diameter exceeding the tooth root diameter, a pair of axially aligned relatively rotative shafts oppositely extending centrally of the head in mutual supporttive bearing relation at the inner ends and having the outer ends exposed and shaped for direct socket-wrench type engagement alternatively with the work and with a handle, each selectively as a driver, as a driven element andas an element to be held, a central gear coaxially within and radially spaced from'the internal gear and fast on one of the shafts, a gear cluster unitarily revolubly carried with the other shaft with capacity for individual rotation of the cluster gears, axially spaced plate means angularly fixed with respect to said other shaft for so rotatably mounting the cluster gears in conjoint meshing relation with the internal gear and the central gear, said plate means received and guided circumferentially in the laterally open recesses of the head, and bar handle means extending radially from the outer wall of the head for holding and for turning it accordingly as the shafts are selected for mutual driver and driven relation or for mutual held and driven relation, mere reversal of the tool by 180 turning about the handle axis effecting selection as between speed increasing and power increasin applications.

As a new article of manufacture, a geared wrench handle unit accessory to standard wrench equipment of the stud and socket type, for application of rotary effort selectively at increased speed or at increased power, said handle unit comprising a circular head defined by an outer annulus constituting both a casing and a movable working part having an internal ring gear fixed at the inner wall thereof, a pair of axially aligned relatively rotatable shafts disposed concentrically in and projecting oppositely from the head with standard wrench-type engaging formations at V the projecting ends for engagement selectively with a work connector and with a tool for holding and for turning at the users option, one shaft having at the inner end a radial flange rotatably disposed in the head in fiatwise lapped relation to the adjacent end faces of the ring gear teeth, a plurality of equally angularly spaced bearing pins paralleling the shaft axis and mounted at one end in said flange, a bearer plate for the other ends of the pins disposed in the head in similar manner as said radial flange but at the opposite ends of the ring gear teeth, said bearer plate having a central bearing aperture for the adjacent shaft, a central gear fixed on the lastmentioned shaft between the plate and said flange and in radial line with but spaced radially from the ring gear, planet gears rotatably carried on the respective bearing pins and operatively interconnecting the central gear and the ring gear, and attaching means on the head for a radial handle bar to hold it and to rotate it accordin to the desired use of the tool. 7

4. As a new article of manufacture in the hand tool class, a geared head and handle unit particularly for use accessory to stud-and-socket-type hand wrench equipment for modifying manual wrench-applied torque, said unit comprising a pair of relatively rotatable shafts adjoined in axial line and in mutual bearing relation, a sun gear fixed on an inner portion of one shaft, a cluster of individually rotatable planetary gears revolubly carried by the other shaft in meshing REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 630,439 Barrett Aug. 8, 1899 721,930 Zellers Mar. 3, 1903 1,417,503 Cranston May 30, 1922 1,721,612 Yannes July 23, 1929 2,268,802 Coffman Jan. 6, 1942 2,302,853 Gordon Nov. 24, 1942 2,407,975 Christian Sept. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 'F'E' l' 

